Air Force Association Technol W ith more exhibitors, higher attendance, and more visits from Air Force general offi cers, the Air Force Association s 0 Technology Exposition bustled with activity. Corporate exhibitors displayed their technology solutions to some of USAF s most urgent needs, and Air Force partners and organizations presented their contributions to national defense. Sikorsky s Defi ant model helicopter builds on a fl ying demonstrator and is a coaxial rotorcraft with a pusher prop, adding high speed to its potential utility functions. A trio of full-scale Joint Direct Attack Munitions and a Small Diameter Bomb formed a centerpiece at Boeing s pavilion. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh chats with Benjamin Lambeth of RAND Corp. Betty Welsh is in the background. Pratt & Whitney showed off a cutaway of the PW 06 engine that will power the KC-6A tanker. Jack Swift of P&W stands by to answer questions. Aerospace technology of the highest order was on display at AFA s annual showcase. 76 AIR FORCE Magazine / November 0
ogy Exposition 0 Staff photography by Kristina Parrill 5 An Aces 5 ejection seat and a Hamilton Standard C-0J propeller dominated the United Technologies display. A fullscale GBU- Viper-E standoff weapon menaced visitors from the MBDA booth. Northrop Grumman may offer this Gulfstream bizjet, fi tted with a large radar sensor, for replacement of its E-8 JSTARS. Lockheed Martin displayed an interesting model of a potential future airlifter with a blended wing body and unducted props. 5 Maj. Gen. Sandra Finan, head of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, N.M., makes a new friend from Warrior Canine Connection. The program provides therapy to veterans by teaching them to train working dogs to help other vets. AIR FORCE Magazine / November 0 77
Elbit s Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System headgear sparkles in the exhibit hall. The helmets are used on Air Force F-6s to give pilots better situational awareness and the ability to select targets merely by looking in their direction. This Wideband Gapfiller satellite model orbited above Boeing s booth. Raytheon displayed an Advanced Combat Radar, one of a number of active electronically scanned array radars for a possible F-6 upgrade. CMSAF James Cody (left) talks with Col. Jaak Tarien of the Estonian air force. Air Chiefs from 8 countries attended the ASC 0 Tech Expo. Tensions in Europe and the Middle East seemed to spark serious interest among foreign visitors. 78 AIR FORCE Magazine / November 0
The centerpiece of Lockheed Martin s booth was these large-scale models of the F-5 Lightning II (rear) and the T-50 trainer that the company will offer for the T-X competition. Lockheed developed the F-6-like T-50 in partnership with Korean- Aerospace Industries. Airbus displayed a large model of its UH-7 Lakota, offered for several Air Force missions, such as replacement of aging UH-s used for support of ICBM launch facilities. The Lakota does light utility work for the Army. Rockwell Collins displayed a large model of Aurora Flight Sciences Centaur optionally manned ISR aircraft, for which it makes autopilot systems. This fullscale rocket engine commanded attention at Aerojet Rocketdyne s booth. AIR FORCE Magazine / November 0 79
Bombardier s Global 6000 business jet, fitted with a canoe radar, is one option to replace USAF s E-8 JSTARS aircraft. MBDA s Meteor is a possible future add to USAF s lineup of air-to-air missiles. With ramjet propulsion, it may be faster than USAF s current inventory of dogfight missiles. Textron s Scorpion concept aims to fill the niche of a low-cost jet trainer, light attack jet, adversary, or ISR platform. Many exhibitors offered the high sign to help visitors find them faster. 5 Kevin Jackson of Saab and AFA s Nation s Capitol Chapter elected at the convention to be an AFA National Director goes over some points with USAFE-AFAFRICA Commander Gen. Frank Gorenc. 5 80 AIR FORCE Magazine / November 0
Top Aces USA and Draken International featured colorful models of their private fleets of combat aircraft available for use in Aggressor-type and other kinds of training. The companies offer to provide services such as electronic warfare targets and combat air controller training at a cost lower than the military services can organically. Aurora Flight Sciences showcased its Skate man-launched, micro, remotely piloted aircraft. The.-pound vehicle is being used in Afghanistan for squad-level aerial overviews of the battlefield. The center of Boeing s pavilion included models of the KC- 6A tanker (foreground), the F-5C this model loaded up as a missileer with 6 AIM-0 AMRAAMs and a CV- (rear). A Boeing Integrator RPA cruised overhead. In the background, ROTC students in the Arnold Air Society visit with a Boeing rep at the booth. Exhibitors reported good traffic and keen interest from USAF leaders who took the time to take numerous briefings in the exhibit hall, making the 0 Technological Exposition a resounding success. AIR FORCE Magazine / November 0 8